The future of the NFL shines while the past tries to comeback

Andrew Luck (Stanford QB) may be the favorite to be the first pick of this year’s NFL Draft, but Robert Griffin III (Baylor QB), known as RG3, stole the show at the combine over the weekend.  He did not participate in throwing drills, but he ran a very impressive 40-yard dash and showed his professionalism in his interviews.  His official time of 4.41 in the 40 is the fastest time for a quarterback since 2006 when Reggie McNeal ran a 4.35.  We will have to wait until his college pro day on March 21 to check out his arm.

While college players were showing off their talent in Indianapolis to in hopes to begin their NFL career, there was news around retired wide receiver Randy Moss making his comeback.

Moss retired after the 2010 season and did not play at all during the 2011 season.  Not surprisingly, he announced a few weeks ago that he missed playing and was ready to come back to the game.  At 35, he is one of the best receivers that the game has seen.  He is tied for second all-time in touchdowns (153), ranks fifth in yards (14,858) and his 10 seasons of at least 1,000 yards are second only to Jerry Rice's 14.  If it is true that he recently ran a 4.3 40-yard dash, he could definitely help some teams out this.

Rumor is that Jeff Fisher, the new head coach at St. Louis, has good things to say about the short time he spent working with Randy in 2010.  St. Louis is still rebuilding with their young quarterback, Sam Bradford.  A veteran like Moss could help out their offense.

Moss is not under contract, so he does not have to wait until the new league to begin visiting teams.  He has expressed a strong affection for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, so we’ll see if New England invites him back.

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

Road to the NFL Draft starts this week

Football isn’t over.  The 2011 playing season is behind us, but it is now time to focus on building for the next season.  We have the NFL Scouting Combine, college pro days and free agency all before we even get to the NFL’s big spring event – NFL Draft.  Hello… 2012! 

Now the NFL league year does not officially start until March 12 the day that the new salary cap is set, but front offices are already having conversations about their 2012 rosters and who should be on them.  NFL personnel will head to Indianapolis this week for the annual combine at Lucas Oil Stadium from February 22 – 28.

Only 300 players will be at the combine.  I describe the weeklong process as an intense, invitation-only interview for the best college football players to get a job in the NFL.  Over 600 NFL personnel will analyze prospective NFL players as they participate in physical and psychological exams, interviews, tests and drills.  The athletes work hard to show all of the coaches, general managers and scouts from all 32 NFL teams that they are tough enough mentally and physically to handle a job in the NFL. 

Here are the physical drills that players will participate in.

1. 40-yard Dash – Known as “the 40,” this is the most popular event at the Combine.  Players are timed running 40 yards.  Like track sprinting events, this drill is all about speed. 

2. Bench Press – This test is for strength and endurance.  Players bench 225 pounds as many reps as they can.  This will show who really spent time in the weight room in college.

3. Vertical Jump – Players stand straight up and stretch their hand to the sky.  The measurement of this point is the reach.  The player then jumps to hit a flag.  He must jump without running or rocking.  The difference between the reach and the flag is the measurement for “the vertical.”  This will show scouts the strength of the lower body.

4. Broad Jump – This is like a long jump without running.  Players stand and jump frontward as far as they can.  This is not only about the distance. The key is landing and not falling.  Scouts are looking for good balance.

5. 3 Cone Drill – Players run around 3 cones in an L shape and back.  This is to test an athlete's ability to change directions at a high speed.

6. 5-10-5 – The actual name is the Shuttle Run.  Basically the player has to run 5 yards to his right and touch the yard line, run 10 yards to his left and touch the yard line, then run a final 5 yards to the right to finish.

A few players to watch at the combine are Andrew Luck (Stanford, QB), Robert Griffin III (Baylor, QB and 2011 Heisman winner), Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State, receiver) and Matt Kalil (Southern California, left offensive tackle). 

When someone brings up a wide receiver or running back entering the draft, ask them how they think that player will do in “the 40” at the combine.  Otherwise, you can start the conversation by asking, “Who do you think will have the fastest 40 this year?”  Now if the talk about is about linemen, switch it up and ask about the bench press.  

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®